Fried Cheese with Berries

The vegan honey-pistachio crusted Fried Cheese with Berries is something vegans can enjoy since it contains vegan honey and vegan cheese and is quick and satisfying with vegan ingredients. This recipe consists of a crunchy crust of pistachios, creamy vegan cheese, and vegan honey on top. The vegan honey-pistachio crusted Fried Cheese with Berries is full of nutrition, including antioxidants, protein, and calcium. This recipe is completely plant-based and feels luxurious, too.

STATS:

• Calories: 245 kilocalories
• Prep time: 15 minutes
• Serving size: 1 cheese round
• Cook time: 8 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean-inspired
• Total time: 23 minutes
• Course: Dessert / Appetizer
• Diet: Vegan
• Serving: 4

EQUIPMENT:

• Food processor
• Small saucepan
• Mixing bowl
• Paper towels
• Tongs
• Non-stick skillet
• Shallow bowls

INGREDIENTS:

FOR VEGAN CHEESE:

• 400 g of firm vegan mozzarella
• ½ cup of unsweetened plant-based milk
• 1 tbsp of cornstarch
• ½ cup of all-purpose flour
• 1 cup of unsalted crushed pistachios

FOR TOPPING:

• 3 tbsp of vegan honey
• ½ cup of fresh mixed berries
• 1 tsp of lemon zest
• Half teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• Pinch of sea salt

FOR FRYING:

• 2 tbsp of light olive oil

INGREDIENT NOTES:

VEGAN CHEESE:

• It gives a relevant creamy texture of dairy cheese. For an alternative, use cashew cheese or vegan ricotta.

PISTACHIOS:

• These include a nutty flavor and also add crunch. You may also use walnuts or almonds as an alternative.

PLANT-BASED MILK:

• The milk in this recipe helps the coating to become sticky. For an alternative, use cashew or oat milk.

ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR:

• Flour is the base for the crust to bind. For an alternative option, use chickpea flour.

CORNSTARCH:

• We use this to make the crust crispy. For an alternate option, you can use arrowroot powder.

VEGAN HONEY:

• It makes the dessert sweet. For substitute option, use maple syrup.

MIXED BERRIES:

• They help in balancing out the sweetness. You can use mandarin, cherries, or pomegranate as alternatives.

LEMON ZEST:

• The zest of the lemon makes the recipe brighter. For an alternative, use orange zest.

OLIVE OIL:

• We use it for frying purposes in this dessert. You may also use coconut oil as an alternative.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Slice the vegan cheese into four equal rectangles or circles and then pat them till they seem dry using a paper towel to exclude moisture.
2. Inside the first bowl, put cornstarch and flour and mix them.
3. Take another bowl, and pour the plant-based milk in it.
4. Using the third bowl, add the crushed pistachios.
5. Now take each cheese piece and dip it inside the first bowl with the flour mix, then in the second bowl with
6. the plant-based milk, and finally in the third bowl to coat them with pistachios.
7. Slightly press while coating, so the coating sticks properly.
8. On medium heat, warm the olive oil inside the skillet.
9. Fry each cheese piece for two to three minutes on each side till they become crispy and golden in color.
10. To remove excess oil, put them on paper towels.
11. Now using another bowl, mix the berries with salt, lemon zest, and vegan honey and toss them till they are finely covered.
12. In a plate, put the fried cheese, put the mixed berry mixture on top, pour some vegan honey, and serve.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

• You can combine this dessert with baguette slices.
• To add some color and spice, you can sprinkle some crushed pink peppercorns.

TIPS:

• To prevent the cheese from melting, make sure that the cheese is cold before you start to coat it.
• For better coating on cheese, make sure you use finely chopped pistachios.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• Refrigerate this dessert in a airtight vessel for two days. To heat again, use an oven for 5-7 minutes at 180°C.

FREEZER:

• You can freeze the uncooked cheese pieces with a coating for one month. To fry them, fry them in frozen form.

FAQs:

Is it fine to bake them rather than frying?

• You can bake them at 200°C, for twelve to fifteen minutes by flipping them at half time.

Can I prepare this dessert without using nuts?

• Yes, you can use pumpkin or sunflower seeds rather than pistachios.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 245 kilocalories
Net carbs: 9.3 grams
Iron: 1.9 milligrams
Total carbs: 12.5 grams
Vitamin A: 720 IU
Fiber: 3.2 grams
Calcium: 145 milligrams
Protein: 10.8 grams
Serving size: 1 cheese round
Sodium: 240 milligrams
Serving: 4
Potassium: 210 milligrams